Davidson Kempner and Nature Infrastructure Capital Acquire Greencells Group's Renewable Project Development Platform
Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Nature Infrastructure Capital (NIC) have jointly acquired Greencells Group's solar and battery project development business. The platform, headquartered in the Netherlands, manages nearly 4 GW of solar and battery storage projects across Europe and Canada, with approximately 800 MW ready for construction.
Now operating as an independent entity under Andreas Hoffmann, CEO of Greencells, the platform will focus on scaling its portfolio and entering new markets to accelerate the energy transition. The joint venture will allocate significant resources to deliver clean, reliable energy solutions for communities and industries.
The acquisition highlights Davidson Kempner's expertise in global asset management and NIC's commitment to renewable energy investments, reinforcing the importance of scaling renewable infrastructure in achieving global energy transition goals.
Union Investment and ENVIRIA Collaborate on Large-Scale PV Project in Garbsen
Union Investment and ENVIRIA are installing a 960 kWp photovoltaic system at the Planetencenter retail park in Garbsen, near Hanover. The system, spanning 4,300 m² with 2,204 modules, is expected to generate 880,000 kWh annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 410 tons per year — equivalent to the absorption capacity of 14,000 trees.
The system will primarily supply tenants such as Edeka, Aldi, and Rossmann with affordable, locally-produced electricity, with surpluses fed into the grid. This initiative aligns with Union Investment's overarching PV strategy, with similar pilot projects underway in Konstanz and Nuremberg, targeting a combined annual output of 3.8 million kWh.
Union Investment, a leading real estate investment manager in Europe, views this project as a step towards sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. ENVIRIA, specializing in commercial solar solutions, is responsible for building and operating the system, supporting Union Investment through a sale-and-leaseback model.
This collaboration highlights Union Investment's commitment to integrating sustainable infrastructure across its portfolio and ENVIRIA's expertise in enabling businesses to transition to solar energy.
ABB Acquires Gamesa's Power Electronics and Energy Storage Business
ABB has announced the acquisition of Siemens Gamesa Electric's power electronics and energy storage business. This move strengthens ABB’s position in renewable energy conversion, adding products like doubly fed induction generators for wind turbines, industrial battery storage systems, and photovoltaic inverters to its portfolio.
The acquisition includes over 100 engineers, two Spanish manufacturing plants, and a total workforce of around 400 spread across Spain, India, China, the U.S., and Australia. With this purchase, ABB aims to expand its installed base in power conversion by approximately 40 GW, enhance modernization opportunities, and sign a supply and service agreement with Siemens Gamesa.
Gamesa Electric’s power electronics business reported €170 million in sales for FY 2024, marking a 48% increase from the previous year. Regulatory approvals are pending, with the deal expected to close in H2 2025.
Milvio Energy Sells 11 German Solar Projects to re:cap Unit
Milvio Energy has agreed to sell a portfolio of 11 ready-to-build (RTB) solar projects in Germany, totaling 51.7 MWp, to a unit of Swiss investment advisor re:cap global investors. The projects, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Lower Saxony, are at various development stages, with three already permitted and the rest expected to reach shovel-ready status by late 2025.
Re:cap’s CEO, Thomas Seibel, highlighted the transaction as a strategic move reinforcing their focus on high-quality renewable energy investments in Europe. Re:cap, based in Zug, specializes in energy transition projects and has advised on over 1.3 GW of acquisitions.
Germany: EU Law Overrules Self-Consumption Facility Exemption
Impact of the ECJ Ruling on German Self-Consumption Facilities
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Germany's exemption of self-consumption facilities from grid regulation violates EU law. Self-consumption facilities, which allow local energy supply without using the public grid, have been used extensively in industrial parks and residential areas due to their cost advantages. However, the ECJ determined that the EU Electricity Directive provides an exhaustive definition of distribution systems, requiring most local grids to be classified as regulated distribution systems.
This decision impacts decentralized supply concepts involving third-party customers, likely subjecting them to grid fees and regulatory oversight. Companies benefiting from the exemption should assess its impact, explore alternatives such as reclassification as closed distribution systems, and monitor legislative and regulatory developments in Germany. Exemptions may still be possible in specific cases, such as citizen energy communities or operational self-supply. However, the ruling underscores the need for businesses to adapt their energy strategies to align with EU requirements.
Federal Government Proposes Law to Manage Electricity Generation Surpluses
A new draft law has been introduced in the Bundestag to address temporary electricity generation surpluses. Key provisions include halting remuneration for new plants in direct marketing from the first hour of negative electricity prices and advancing changes to electricity market products. The draft, presented by the SPD and Green factions of the former traffic light coalition, seeks to amend the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
The 90-page proposal incorporates regulations from the earlier EnWG amendment, including reducing remuneration to zero during negative spot market prices, which was planned for 2027 but is now proposed for 2025. Exceptions apply to small systems under 100 kW and photovoltaic systems under 2 kW. Additionally, the draft extends remuneration periods to cover negative price intervals and aims to streamline direct marketing processes, reduce bureaucracy, and promote smart meter adoption.
It also seeks to align with the revised EU internal electricity market directive by including grid connection regulations and transitioning electricity market products from hourly to quarter-hourly contracts by 2025.
Bavaria Proposes Mandatory 0.3 Cent/kWh Levy for Large Solar Parks and Wind Turbines
Bavaria's cabinet has approved a regulation requiring operators of large open-space photovoltaic systems (5 MW or more) and wind turbines to pay a mandatory levy of 0.3 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity fed into the grid. This measure, proposed by Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger, aims to enhance community acceptance and provide direct benefits to municipalities and citizens.
The law will exclude citizen energy companies and specialized systems like agri-PV or floating PV from the levy. Revenues from the levy can support community projects, such as reduced electricity tariffs, infrastructure development, or nonprofit initiatives.
The levy builds on Germany's 2023 EEG provision, which allowed for voluntary payments of 0.2 cents/kWh but was criticized for not providing sufficient direct benefits to citizens. Bavaria seeks to set a precedent in the absence of a nationwide mandate. Wind turbines will distribute the levy to municipalities and residents within a 2.5-kilometer radius, while solar parks will benefit local municipalities and their residents. The draft law will be presented to the Bavarian state parliament after consultations.
Germany's Primary Energy Use Hits New Low in 2024, Renewables Cover 20%
Germany's primary energy consumption dropped by 1.3% in 2024 to 10,478 petajoules, its lowest level since the early 1970s, driven by warmer weather, economic slowdown, and efficiency gains. Renewables contributed 20% to primary energy consumption and set a record by providing 55% of electricity, with solar power compensating for a slight decline in wind output.
Coal use in power plants fell significantly, reducing the energy sector's greenhouse gas emissions by 9% compared to 2023 and 60% since 1990. Lower electricity and gas prices spurred a 3% rise in gas use, with Norway now Germany's top pipeline gas supplier and most LNG imports coming from the U.S. Despite lower energy prices, Germany maintained a negative electricity trading balance with France and Nordic countries.
Hanns-Christoph Zebe Appointed Managing Director of QVSD
Hanns-Christoph Zebe has been unanimously elected as the new Managing Director of the Quality Association for Solar and Roof Technology (QVSD). Zebe, an expert in roofing and building-integrated solar technology, brings extensive experience in management, specialist planning, and authorship within the roofing materials industry.
Chairman Arnold Berens praised Zebe's expertise, highlighting his suitability to advance QVSD's mission of enhancing sustainability and quality in solar and roof technology. Zebe aims to strengthen the association's role in innovation and quality amid challenges and opportunities from the energy transition and renewable energy expansion.
Founded in 2010, QVSD promotes high standards in the planning, production, and maintenance of solar roofs, collaborating with industry stakeholders to drive innovation and enforce quality guidelines.
Marco Nix becomes new CFO of the Elia Group
Marco Nix, Managing Director of Grid Expansion Projects and Finance (CFO) at 50Hertz, will become the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Elia Group, the majority shareholder of 50Hertz, on April 1, 2025. Since November 2023, Marco Nix has already been serving as interim CFO of the Elia Group in addition to his duties at 50Hertz.
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